Improvement in cartridge-boxes



P. S. 8L F. M. THOMSON.

Imprbvement in- Cartridge-Boxes.

N0. 132,992. Patented Nov.12,1 87 2.

UNITED TATES PATENT OFFICE.

POLYDORE- S. THOMSON AND FRANK M. THOMSON, OF HUDSON CITY, N. J.

IMPROVEMENT IN CARTRIDGE-BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 132,992, dated November 12, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, POLYDORE S. THOM- soN and FRANK M. THOMSON, of Hudson city, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain Improved Cartridge-Box, of which the following is a specification The invention will first be fully described and then clearly pointed out in the claim. The object is to make cheaper boxes and provide a better and more convenient arrangement of the cartridges; also to increase the capacity of the box.

Figure l is a front elevation of our improved cartridge-box with apart of the flap torn off, and Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 00 00.

A is the cell-block, which we prefer to make of wood, but which may be of any other substance found suitable. Said block is about as thick as the length of a cartridge and has as many cartridge-cells B extending through it horizontally from front to rear, as it can contain. O 0 represent the perforated elastic sheet attached to the front with holes corresponding to the cells B, but slightly smaller. This sheet is in this instance composed partly of soft vulcanized India rubber, c, and partly of cork, 0, either of which we propose to use for the purpose of holding the cartridges in the cells, their holes being adapted to pinch the cartridges as they are pushed in and hug. them with sufficient power to retain them in place and hold them so as to prevent rattling. Any other suitable elastic substance may also be used. This cell-block and its elastic holding-sheet we place within the leather box, in place of the metal cans heretofore used, with holes opening toward the front D of the box, which we perforate correspondingly, and we make it fast to protect the elastic sheet. The

cartridges are introduced to the cells through this side of the case, and they are covered and more securely confined by the flap E.

This wood block is not only a better substitute for the metal cans commonly used, but it is very much cheaper to make, and the arran gement of the cartridges in this way is more convenient than in the old arrangement.

We can convert the boxes heretofore used to this improved arrangement by removing the metal can used, inserting the perforated blocks with the elastic perforated sheets on them, and perforating the part D of the case at a tritlin g cost.

The elastic holding-sheet is also useful for cleaning the surfaces of the cartridges,which it does by hugging them so snugly as to remove any dust and dirt that may adhere to their sides as they are pressed into their cells.

"We are aware that spring-holders for cartridges, vulcanized rubber plates perforated to receive cartridges, and a perforated elastic diaphragm for the same purpose, are all old, and 

